The best part of the year for me is getting to go to the Premiere Orlando Hair Show.  Held at the Orange County Convention Center, Premiere Orlando is definitely party city for all things beauty related.   Every year I get invited to meet and try out the newest and hottest products on the market.

Even though Premiere Orlando is mostly products and education, there is a side to the show not many people get to experience.  While at the show I got to meet and interview celebrity hairstylist/master colorist Kim Vo.  Kim and his mother emigrated from Vietnam when Kim was very young.  He started his hairstyling career in New York City.He actually said that he never had a mentor. He said he was believed more in inspiration. His inspiration came from Wolfgang Puck.  He later moved to California, where he now owns 4 salons. Having been in the hair industry for 18 years, Kim is now one of Hollywood’s hottest hairstylists and has been named “The Best Blonder in the Business”.  Having used Swartzkoptf Professionals for 10 years, Kim calls them the “Blonde Ambassador”.  Kim has worked for Swartzkoptf Professionals now for 1 ½ years.  “Swartzkoptf does what it says it does. I love it for red carpet.”

Having clients such as Britney Spears and Kate Hudson, Kim shared with me the inside secrets of how to create “Hollywood Hair”.  I asked Kim the differences in styling and coloring hair for Music Videos, Stage and photo shoots.  He told me “When you are working on hair for a music video you are going for a more fantasy look.  This is what I call the whisper effect.  When coloring the hair you add more gold to the color so it will show up on camera”. Styling hair for the stage requires more than one person. “This is where Hollywood really comes into play.  You can have up to 4 stylists at a time dressing the hair to make it look fresh and new every time.”  And for a photo shoot, Kim said “Use products that don’t weigh the hair down.  You must also dress the hair to perfection.”

When closing I asked Kim what was his advice to young stylists, like myself, just starting out. He said “ You must work hard and put your best effort forward every day.  Some days will be better than others but you will grow every day.”

Kim definitely gave me some awesome advice; not only for working behind the chair, but also for the way you treat people.  I love Kim Vo and I hope to see him again soon.